20 November 2006

Singapore students visit University of Dundee

Students from one of Singapore’s top rated schools have travelled to the College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee to discover more about Life Sciences.

Three pupils from the Hwa Chong Institution will spend two weeks shadowing 4th year students from the University. As well as attending lectures and becoming involved in research projects in laboratories, the students will be shown how students in the UK live, with visits to halls of residence, sports facilities and the student union.

Juan Boon, 17, says, "It is great to be able to get involved with the research projects here. The equipment here is excellent and the standard of teaching is so high."

"I have always wanted to come to the UK to study after school to experience a different education system and to broaden my horizons. After this trip I will definitely be considering Dundee as a place to study."

The students are accompanied on the trip by five teachers who plan to return to Singapore armed with enough knowledge about Dundee and Life Sciences that they can encourage more pupils to come here.

Judith Cheng is a Biology teacher. She says, "Life Sciences has become the 4th pillar of the community in Singapore. We were keen to come to see the University of Dundee as we had read so many things about it, and the discoveries made here. It has been even more impressive than I had imagined."

Professor Mike Ferguson, of the School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, says, "It is a pleasure to have our guests from Singapore with us. These are outstanding students and teachers and we hope this will be the first of many fact-finding visits to Dundee by students and staff of Hwa Chong Institution."

The University of Dundee has strong ties with Singapore, including a relationship with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, (A*STAR). The two institutions are planning joint research, education and training in life sciences, building on the international expertise and reputation both institutions hold in the field.

The agreement, which will initiate a flow of top quality postgraduates from Singapore to Dundee, was orchestrated by Professor Sir David Lane, who was appointed by Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell as Fresh Talent Ambassador for Scotland. Sir David is currently operating as Executive Director for A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology on a two year sabbatical arrangement from the University of Dundee.

For media enquiries contact:

Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk